There is a lot of talk going on right now about the labor force participation rate in Mississippi. This rate, defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics as “the population that is either working or actively seeking work,” is an important standard in our economic growth.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the labor force participation rate in America for the month of August 2024 was 62.7%; in Mississippi, it was 54.4%.
Helping more Mississippians get and keep jobs is a critical component in our state’s success. Earning a degree at one of our eight public universities is a critical component for the success of our citizens.
I recently had the opportunity to speak before the Labor Force Participation Study Group, created this year by Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann. I shared data from the National Center for Education Statistics, including that the 2023 employment rate for Mississippians between the ages of 25-34 who have earned a college degree was 88%. The employment rate for those who had only completed high school was 74%.